Grid Support

The variability of wind and solar generation poses challenges for traditional grids. Grid support is reuqired to ensure a green grid can operate securely and reliably.

Investment Fund of the Year ESG Investing Awards 2021

Awarded February 2021, the only winner among more than 90 finalists in 17 investment fund categories. The award is not indicative of future performance. Quinbrook is not a paid subscriber to ESG Investing nor did it pay as a condition of eligibility. ESG Investing awards are made based on nominations by market participants, including Quinbrook, and assessed by a panel of independent judges comprising financial market professionals, academics and independent experts.

Share of renewables in the US electricity generation mix
42% in 2050*

About our Grid Support focus

Modern grids increasingly require a range of technical services that have historically been provided by large thermal generators and industrial loads. Inertia, the ability to dampen changes to a grid operating frequency and avoid blackouts, can be provided by technologies like synchronous condensors. Fast response and voltage support services can also be provided on short timeframes by batteries and co-ordinated demand response. Quinbrook views these technologies as critical enablers of a secure grid that can accommodate high volumes of intermittent renewable capacity.

Quinbrook expects investment demand for new grid support infrastructure (such as synchronous condensers) to grow strongly in the UK, with installations over the coming years driven in part by new procurement programmes such as the National Grid Pathfinder in the UK. Quinbrook’s Rassau Project is the first ‘new build’ synchronous condenser project in the UK and has secured a stability services contract with National Grid which, when built, will provide valuable stability support to the Welsh power grid.

Quinbrook also expects an increased number of battery storage and demand response investments to be underwritten via grid support contracts with system and transmission operators.

Key Points

Rassau Grid Services is a synchronous condenser project located in Wales which is designed to provide much needed grid stability by increasing network inertia and is on track to reach operations by October 2021.
Flexitricity operates a 540 MW Virtual Power Plant portfolio comprising a mix of battery storage and industrial demand response assets that participate in the UK’s ancillary services markets.

* EIA, Annual Energy Outlook, 2021, see link (accessed 6 July 2021).